Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City Outlet Centre Ambition Could Unlock A New Era Of Luxury Shopping Tourism Growth

Written By: Sanjana Dubey

Sanjana Dubey

A passionate storyteller and emerging journalist, I am currently doing job while diving deep into the world of journalism. With two years of practical experience, I have cultivated a knack for transforming ideas into engaging narratives that captivate readers. My journey blends academic insight with real-world reporting, allowing me to explore culture, travel, and lifestyle through a creative and informed lens. Committed to delivering fresh, authentic, and impactful content, I strive to make every story not just read, but truly experienced.

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August 20, 2026 12:27 PM

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To increase shopping and tourism, Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City is considering building outlet malls. The construction of the outlet malls would change Ho Chi Minh City’s retail and tourism sectors. The outlet malls will not be geared toward just shopping. The outlet malls will include shopping, hotel accommodations, entertainment, and tours.

The initiative comes as Vietnam seeks new ways to increase tourist spending. Although the country continues to welcome millions of international visitors, average visitor expenditure remains lower compared with many major tourism markets worldwide. Authorities believe that creating attractive shopping destinations could encourage travellers to extend their spending during their stay.

The proposal was highlighted during a seminar focused on outlet centre development in Ho Chi Minh City. The discussion examined how global retail trends could be adapted to support local businesses, attract international brands and create new experiences for both domestic and overseas visitors.

Ho Chi Minh City Targets New Retail Model Linking Shopping And Tourism

The city’s vision for outlet centres goes beyond offering discounted products. Authorities are considering a broader commercial ecosystem where shopping becomes part of a complete travel experience.

The planned model would connect outlet retail with other tourism-related services, including duty-free shopping, tax refund systems, accommodation, transportation, entertainment facilities and travel services. This approach aims to make shopping a key attraction rather than a secondary activity for visitors.

Several development models are being studied. One option involves large-scale outlet villages located outside central urban areas. These destinations could combine premium shopping with tourism attractions, allowing visitors to spend an entire day exploring retail, dining and entertainment facilities.

Another model focuses on outlet centres located around the city’s outskirts. These projects would operate at a more flexible scale and serve both residents and tourists from surrounding areas.

A third option involves integrated developments where shopping centres are combined with hotels, entertainment zones, tourism facilities and other services. This model follows international trends where retail destinations are designed as lifestyle experiences rather than simple shopping locations.

The strategy reflects changing consumer behaviour, as travellers increasingly look for unique experiences alongside traditional sightseeing.

Tourism Spending Challenge Drives Need For Attractive Shopping Destinations

Vietnam’s tourism industry has recorded strong growth, but increasing visitor spending remains an important challenge. International travellers often spend less in Vietnam compared with destinations that have developed stronger retail tourism ecosystems.

Industry experts believe outlet centres could help address this gap by creating new reasons for visitors to spend more during their trips. A well-developed outlet network could attract tourists interested in fashion, lifestyle products, local brands and international retail experiences.

The development of shopping-focused tourism could also support domestic companies by providing new platforms to showcase Vietnamese products. Local brands could gain greater visibility among international travellers while benefiting from partnerships with global retailers.

However, experts emphasise that outlet centres must offer more than low prices. As online shopping continues to expand, consumers have more access to discounted products through digital platforms.

Future outlet destinations will need to provide exclusive products, unique experiences and attractive environments that cannot easily be replicated online.

Strategic Locations And Infrastructure Key To Outlet Centre Success

Location will be one of the most important factors determining the success of Ho Chi Minh City’s outlet centre plans. Developers will need to carefully consider transport connections, customer access and future infrastructure expansion.

Several potential areas have been identified due to their strategic importance. Locations connected to major transport corridors, including areas near the Cai Mep–Thi Vai region, routes linking to Long Thanh International Airport and the coastal area of Can Gio, could offer significant opportunities.

These locations could benefit from future infrastructure improvements and increasing connectivity between Ho Chi Minh City and neighbouring regions.

The expansion of transport networks could allow outlet centres to attract not only local residents but also international travellers arriving through major airports and ports.

Strong accessibility will be essential because successful outlet destinations worldwide often rely on convenient connections with tourist hubs and transportation systems.

Policy Support And International Brand Participation Remain Critical

While investment interest in outlet development is growing, industry stakeholders highlight the importance of clear and stable policies.

Developers and investors can contribute capital, international partnerships and operational expertise, but regulatory frameworks will play a major role in determining the success of these projects.

Rules related to promotions, discounts and retail operations need to provide enough flexibility for outlet businesses to compete internationally.

Attracting major global brands will also require long-term commitments and supportive policies. International retailers typically look for markets with predictable regulations and strong consumer potential before expanding.

At the same time, authorities aim to ensure that Vietnamese companies also benefit from the growth of outlet centres. Creating opportunities for domestic brands to participate could strengthen the local retail sector and increase the visibility of Vietnamese products.

Outlet Centres Must Deliver Unique Experiences In Digital Shopping Era

The rise of e-commerce has changed the way consumers shop. Online platforms now provide easy access to discounts and products from around the world.

Because of this shift, outlet centres cannot depend only on lower prices to attract customers. Their long-term success will depend on creating memorable experiences and offering products that shoppers cannot easily find elsewhere.

Future outlet destinations may need to combine shopping with entertainment, dining, cultural experiences and tourism activities to remain competitive.

For Ho Chi Minh City, outlet centres represent a potential opportunity to strengthen its position as a regional tourism and retail destination. By combining modern shopping concepts with hospitality and entertainment, the city hopes to create new attractions that encourage visitors to stay longer and spend more.

The planned developments could become an important part of Vietnam’s strategy to build a more diverse tourism economy, where retail experiences play a larger role in attracting global travellers.